British Architectural Books from the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries 1664-1799

A Collection of Seventy Titles Offered for Sale en bloc

Charles Wood, Bookseller 2015-2016 1. The BUILDER’S DICTIONARY: or, gentleman and architect’s 1774.’ (BABW, p. 412). The present copy is in fine condition, with a few companion. London: A. Bettesworth & C. Hitch, 1734 contemporary ms corrections. NUC locates two copies (Baker Lib., Harvard; & Columbia).

First edition. The only illustrated 18th century builder’s dictionary; it was 8vo, full early 20th cent. blue calf, marbled endpapers, with the leather bookplate of W. A. largely based on Neve’s earlier Dictionary; Chambers’s Cyclopedia, and other Foyle, Beeleigh Abbey. (iv)+iv+16+(ii)+17-28 pp. with 4 text illus. sources. According to Harris the preface is the most interesting and original piece in the Dictionary. The work also contains the only English translation of Gautier’s Traité des Ponts. Each volume bears the approbation of Nicholas 3. [DUBREUIL, JEAN]. The practice of perspective: or, an easy method Hawksmoor, John James, and James Gibbs. The frontispiece is a charming of representing natural objects according to the rules of art...written in French engraving of a gentleman and an architect conversing with a quotation from by a Jesuit of Paris; since translated into German by Ch. Rembold and into Pope (and illustrated in Harris, p. 129). Park List 4. UCBA, I, p. 418. Har- English by Rob. Pricke. And now, a second time, into the same language by E. ris, BABW, 65. Thomas Jefferson owned a copy of this edition (O’Neal 15). Chambers. The third edition. London: Tho. Bowles, 1749 2 vols, 8vo, orig. calf, hinges of both volumes mended with flexible cement, new lettering pieces. Unpaginated. Engraved frontisp. and 34 engr. plates: Vol I, 1-15; vol II, 16-27, [*], Originally published Paris, 1642. This copy has extensive marginal annota- 28-33. Vol II is partially split. Bindings are not very attractive but internally a nice clean tions and contemporary diagrams drawn in pen & ink on the verso of the absolutely complete copy. first plate. They are taken from T. Bardwell, The Practice of Painting and Perspective, (1756). A long popular book, there were two English transla- tions, the first by Robert Pricke (1672; 1698), the second by the encyclopedist RARE PUBLICATION ON ARTIFICIAL SLATE Ephriam Chambers in 1726. “Quite probably the most influential book on FOR ROOFING perspective ever published expressly for the use of a lay audience sketchily raffed together with greater cunning than scruple from a number of acknowl- 2. [COOK, HENRY]. Patent artificial slate manufactory, Woodford edged sources, this book aroused the kind of public squabbles that insure Bridge, Essex, for covering roofs, fronts of houses, and ricks, also water pipes and wide publicity and instant success. Chief victims were Aleaume (never named) gutters. London, [ca. 1786] whose original plates were plundered before ever this book saw the light and Desargues. All the same, the book obviously filled a shrewdly-judged gap. Fine copy of a rare and interesting pamphlet/trade catalogue; the ESTC lo- As an easily understandable manual for non-professionals, it enjoyed consid- cates a single copy in the British Isles, at the British Library (lacking the title erably more than a succès de scandale.” - P. Breman in Wiebenson III-B-19. page and amendment leaf). The artificial slate appears to have been first made There was a copy of the Chambers translation in the American colonies be- in the West Indies, prior to its manufacture in Woodford by Henry Cook fore the Revolution (Park 13). Fowler 110 (edition of ca. 1780). Vagnetti (identified on page 27). The West Indies connection is interesting; the only EIIIb32. RIBA, Early printed books, no. 923 (Chambers edition of 1726). copy located in America is in the John Carter Brown Library, which is not 4to, cont. full sheep, orig. dark red lettering piece. (xviii)+16+150 pp. with (2)+150 engr surprising - they must have the best collection on the West Indies in the plates. First 2 plates folding. Very good copy. USA. The latest date of the testimonials given at the end is 1786. This title is not in Eileen Harris, BABW, though she does mention Henry Cook and states that according to Bennet Woodcroft’s Subject Matter Index of Patents A RARE PARK LIST TITLE for Inventions (1857) Cook patented “a composition to be used as a substi- tute for lead, slates or tiles in covering churches, houses and all other buildings” 4. FLETCHER, A[BRAHAM]. The Universal Measurer, in three parts. in 1778. She further states that ‘the increased number of newly invented A work equally useful to the Gentleman, Tradesman and Mechanic. Second roofing materials in the last quarter of the eighteenth century may be attrib- edition. London: Printed for G. Robinson & J. Roberts, 1766 uted in great measure to the fire regulations contained in the Building Act of

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS First published in Whitehaven in 1752-53. This work went through at least PEPYS DID NOT LIKE THIS BOOK three editions, the latest in 1784. It is listed in the addenda to the Park List (no. 103); a copy was offered by a Philadelphia bookseller in 1773. Park 6. GERBIER, SIR BALTHAZAR. The first and second part of counsel gives only one modern location, the Library Company of Philadelphia. Wallis, and advice to all builders for the choice of their surveyors, clerks of their works, British mathematics, no. 752FLE stating that the author was a mathemati- bricklayers, masons, carpenters, and other workmen therein concerned. As also cian, tobacco-pipe-maker, herbalist, astrologer, and schoolmaster of Little in respect of their works, materials and rates thereof. London: by Tho. Mabb, Boughton. Not in Harris BABW (which is surprising as she devotes chapter for Tho. Heath, 1664 4 to measuring and price books and includes many of them in her bibliogra- phy). Part III of the present work includes a “description, construction, and Originally published 1663. The text of this edition consists of Gerbier’s two use of Coggeshall’s sliding rule.” Also, directions for measuring artificer’s essays, a third issue of A brief discourse concerning the three chief principles of works (bricklaying, chimneys, tiling and slating, plastering, joinery, glazing, magnificent building, viz. solidity, conveniency and ornament, with a separate masonry, etc). OCLC locates six copies of this edition. title with imprint “London: by A. M. for Thomas Heath, 1665”, 44 pp., 8vo, recent full calf spine, antique, by Green Dragon Bindery. viii+240;259+(i) pp with 11 first published 1662 and a reissue of Counsel and advice to all builders, 110 fdg engr. plates. Upper third of the title page has been restored (the word ‘Universal’is pp., but with the title and dedication to the king cancelled and replaced with present in facsimile done expertly by the Green Dragon Bindery on paper of the period). an earlier variant of the Brief discourse title with imprint “London: by Tho. Mabb for Tho. Heath, 1664.” The second part is preceded by an extraordi- nary group of 38 dedicatory epistles ranging from the Duke of York and NOT ON THE PARK LIST - AND IT SHOULD BE Price Rupert to William Wade, an architect/builder. Including as, Samuel THE SOURCE FOR THE FRANKLIN FIREPLACE Pepys put it in his Diary on 28 May 1663 “almost all the men of any great condition in England, so that the epistles are more than the book itself; and 5. GAUGER, [NICOLAS]. Fires improved: or a new method of building both it and them not worth a turd, that I am ashamed that I bought it.” (But chimneys, so as to prevent their smoaking...made English...by J. T. Desaguliers. in fact Pepys apparently admired Gerbier enough to have acquired a major London: J. Senex & E. Curll, 1715 collection of his original drawings; - see E. Chaney, The evolution of the grand tour, ch. 9). The book is not, however without merit; Eileen Harris points Originally published Paris 1713; this the first English edition. Eileen Harris out “his descriptions in Counsel and advice and building materials and their calls this “the earliest treatise on domestic heating and the basis of all eigh- prices are among the earliest published in this country, preceeded only by teenth century books on the subject in English...In the summer of 1715 the those in Thomas Willsford’s little-known Architectonice (1659). Their con- well-known experimental philosopher J. T. Desaguilers published a transla- tribution to English architectural history has been recognized since the tion of Gauger’s book, omitting what he thought superfluous and adding his nineteenth century.” - BABW, p. 207. Harris 254 locating 4 copies (three of own improvements to suit the burning of coal in England.” - BABW, no. which are imperfect). Wing G554. 244. This work was Benjamin Franklin’s self acknowledged source for his 8vo, recent full calf. (ii)+(xii)+44+(48ff of deds)+(viii)+110 pp. Lacks the final ideas on the Pennsylvania fire place. James Logan of Philadelphia had a copy advertisement leaf. Browned throughout. of the Amsterdam edition of 1714 (Wolf. The library of James Logan, 794). But see also RIBA, Early printed books, 1130 which states that “he [Franklin] had almost certainly read in the English translation of 1715...” This title is 7. GIBBS, JAMES. Bibliotheca Radcliviana: or a short description of the not on the Park List (A list of architectural books available in America before the Radcliffe Library at Oxford. London: Printed for the author, 1747 revolution) and it should be. Schimmelman 28. NUC locates 7 copies.

16mo, early 20th century half polished calf. (vi)+[1-6]-7-161[162-172]+1 ff with 9 engr First edition, a good copy complete with both portraits of Gibbs and Radcliffe fdg plates. Some light marginal old water staining on the last few plates. (one or the other is often missing). A collection of plates, with brief descrip- tive letterpress, published by Gibbs as work on the Radcliffe Camera was

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS drawing to a conclusion. Gibbs says in his preface that the drawings for the This copy belonged to Alexander McMillan Welch (1869-1943), a plates were not made during the construction of the building “because there distinguished New York City architect. He is given a long note in Withey, happened unforseen accidents, which occasioned a few alterations to be made which states: “There [in his office, at 15 E. 71st St.] he installed his library, on it; so that the following representation of it is taken from the building as one of the largest and most important collections of architectural works in it now stands.” As has been pointed out by Hugh Pagan, this was the only New York.” It was subsequently owned by James Grote Vanderpool (1903- British monograph of the eighteenth century devoted to a library building. 1979), Dean of the School of Architecture at Columbia University, a Robin Middleton has noted that Gibbs’s decision to have an engraved por- prominent preservationist and director of Avery Library. Finally, the title page trait of himself as the frontispiece to the volume “was a gesture of brazen margin is inscribed “Thos. Cressy 1899.” He, too, was an architect; his dates self-confidence, almost unprecedented in British architectural publications.” were 1842-1909 and he is given a good entry in Withey. BAL, Early printed books, 1205. Berlin Catalogue 2334. Fowler 139. Harris Folio, recent full sheep, dark red lettering piece, by Green Dragon Bindery. (iv)+xxv pp. 256. with 150 engr. plates. Pl. I (Perspective View of St. Martin’s Church) has an old repair - mended at the fold, no loss - and the bottom margin has been reinforced. A very good copy. Folio, recent marbled boards, dark red calf spine, highly gilt. 12 pp with 2 engr portraits and 21 engr plates. Pls engr by Peter Fourdrinier. A very good clean copy.

9. GIBBS, JAMES. Rules for drawing the several parts of architecture in ‘THE MOST WIDELY USED ARCHITECTURAL a more exact and easy manner than has heretofore practiced, by which all BOOK OF THE CENTURY’ fractions, in dividing the principal members and their parts, are avoided. The Second Edition. London: Printed by W. Bowyer for the author, 1736 8. GIBBS, JAMES. A book of architecture, containing designs of buildings and ornaments. Second edition. London: W. Innys & R. Manby, 1739 Originally published 1732; this second edition is unchanged from the first. This was one of the key books in the development and spread of vernacular Palladianism, providing a simple academic method of dividing the orders Originally published in 1728. “Because of his strong individualism and in into parts without fractions. The orders as here presented were more clearly spite of his conservatism, Gibbs’s influence proved enormous. This was exer- illustrated and more easily understood and executed by the average builder cised very largely through his books, especially A book of architecture published than in any previous architectural publication. The work was very popular in London in 1728 and containing most of his executed works up to that and went through three editions in the 18th century and was reprinted in the date, as well as an ample treasury of designs, based on English, French and 19th and 20th centuries. Gibbs’s attempt to protect his idea by copyright Italian sources, for small buildings and ornaments. This book was frankly was futile; within one year after the appearance of the first edition it was intended as a pattern book for the use of country gentlemen in districts stolen by Batty Langley, then by Edward Hoppus, then by William Salmon, remote from architectural advice; and the designs, says Gibbs, could be ‘ex- etc. The book was widely used in the American colonies. Harris, BABW, ecuted by any workman who understands lines.’ As Gibbs intended, so the 262. Park List 18. Wiebenson III-A-26 with an interesting note. Schimmelman book was used. Its success was immediate, and it was probably the most 30. New Berlin Catalogue 2272d. RIBA, Early printed books, 1209 with in- widely used architectural book of the century, not only throughout Britain teresting note. but in the American colonies and the West Indies.” - Summerson, Architec- ture in Britain, p. 204. Eileen Harris points out that the book was also Folio, marbled boards, calf spine & corners; dark red lettering piece (mid-20th century influential later in India and South Africa. It is well known that it was a binding?). [privilege leaf]+vi+42 pp with 64 engr. plates. Spine is rubbed; wear to head source of inspiration for the White House in Washington and at least one and tail. 2 old spots on title page (about the diameter of a pencil) else an excellent clean copy. Early inscription on the verso of the first leaf: J. H. Borehan, South Hackney. mansion in Virginia. Harris, BABW, 258. Berlin Catalogue 2270. Fowler 138. Park List 17. Thomas Jefferson had a copy; O’Neal 48.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS A RARE SCOTTISH MEASURING BOOK not invent this method; he adapted it from Abraham Bosse, as explained by Eileen Harris, page 218. Harris, BABW, 281. Colvin, p. 379. Park List 19. 10. GOOD, WILLIAM. The measurer’s and tradesman’s assistant: New Berlin Catalogue 2265Z. BAL, Early printed books, 1435. containing the ordinary method of taking dimensions relative to building, in Small folio, cont. full polished panelled calf, neatly rebacked. (vi)+2 ff (engr list of and about the city of Edinburgh; with several tables ready cast up for their subscribers) +56+(1) pp. with engr frontisp., 19 numbered + 1 unnumb fdg plates. Plate assistance. To which is added an appendix, shewing the ordinary prices of Masons, 6 has an old repair with no loss. 19th cent. engr bookplate of Buddle Atkinson. Very good copy. Wrights, Glasiers, Slaters, and Painters work. Edinburgh: Printed for William Creech, 1788 12. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM. A new and compleat system of Measurer and First edition; a very rare book. “In the introduction to his architecture, delineated in a variety of plans and elevations for convenient and tradesman’s assistant (1775), Good relates how early in life, when he was a decorated houses. London: John Brindley, 1749 wright or carpenter, he qualified himself to be ordained an Edinburgh mea- surer by observing the practices of the measurers he employed for his works First edition, rare. An analysis of the designs, which are peculiar and “cer- and by studying treatises upon mensuration. Finding that the best books tainly not Palladian,” to quote Eileen Harris, is given in Kaufmann, Architecture about the building trades, notably those by Hoppus and Salmon, were of no in the age of reason, pp. 28-29. “This is one of several house publications use in Scotland, he was induced to publish his own treatise. To render this undertaken by Halfpenny, including estimates, plans and elevations perhaps complete and useful he ‘consulted with the most eminent architects, contrac- inspired by the success of Garret’s book of 1747. The pedestrian nature of tors for buildings and others versant in the building art...researched into Halfpenny’s designs and their execution bely his preface on the nature of Edinburgh measuring practice...recovered the books of some of the oldest beauty: “...simplicity is the basis of beauty, as decoration is of and most approved measurers.’ It seems likely that the publication of his magnificence...harmony is the result of the first, and proportion elegantly Assistant in 1775 was also stimulated by Edinburgh Town Council’s approval composed is the certain effect of the latter...” - Wiebenson III-D-25. Harris, in 1773 of a mode for measuring.” - Harris, BABW, 272. Harris locates but BABW, 296. Colvin, p. 261. Park List 23. RIBA, Early printed books, 1440 two copies (British Library; Columbia Univ). OCLC adds two more: UCLA, (imperfect copy). Harvard. Oblong 8vo, orig. marbled sides, calf spine (with gilt stamps) and corners, upper and lower 8vo, orig. full sheep, (front hinge cracked), dark red lettering piece. (ii)+233+1 pp. Rather front joints starting. (iv)+25 pp with 46 engr plates. Scattered foxing. heavy old water stain in first few pages.

11. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM. The art of sound building demonstrated ENGRAVED THROUGHOUT in geometrical problems. The second edition. London: Printed for Sam. Birt...and B. Motte, 1725 13. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM. Practical architecture, or a sure guide to the ... five orders, with their several doors and windows. London: Tho. Bowles, First issue of the first edition complete with the unnumbered plate at the end 1724 of Halfpenny’s design for a church in Leeds. There was a second edition published later in the same year. It is the first book in English on the geom- First edition. Halfpenny was the first architectural writer to translate the etry of arches. “This handbook intended for the craftsman, illustrates modular proportions of the orders according to Palladio into feet and inches; Halfpenny’s understanding for geometry. The first section concentrates on a this immensely important innovation, as set forth here, made Palladianism a method of drawing arches by the intersection of straight lines, an invention national idiom not only in England but in the American colonies as well. His attributed to Halfpenny.” - Wiebenson, III-C-15. But in fact Halfpenny did method was inspired by Abraham Bosse’s Traité des manieres de dessiner les ordres, 1664. But his presentation was in a much more convenient format

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS than Bosse’s folio; his book was a mere six inches high so that it may be First and only edition. A very rare work, issued in six oblong folio sheets. ‘carryed in the Pocket and always be ready for use.’ In the colonies Peter Harris & Savage 321: “This suite of six plates inscribed ‘W. Halfpenny Invt. Harrison, Samuel Rhoads, and Thomas Jefferson are known to have owned Parr Sculp’ seems to have been published without a title page. The title given this work; there were doubtless hundreds of copies in use in America in the above is from a Brindley and Sayer advertisement in Andrea Palladio’s First mid and later 18th century. Harris, BABW, 309. Park List 26. Sowerby 4186. Book of Architecture (1751) by Halfpenny. The BL copy is bound with Chi- O’Neal 53a. Colvin, p. 378. nese and Gothic Architecture Properly Ornamented (1752).” The Harris collation states six plates; the present copy has nine plates and they were 12mo, orig. sheep, very neatly rebacked. 48 ff; engraved throughout: t.p., ded. leaf, preface and 24 engr. plates each with engr. table on facing leaf. Very nice copy of an appealing little issued all of a piece (i.e. the last three were not added later). Harris locates book. only two copies: British Library and Avery Library. Not in OCLC. Oblong folio (9 1/2 x 14 3/4"), nine engr. sheets. These nine sheets had formerly been bound into rear of another volume. They have been removed and been placed in appropriate EARLY PATTERN BOOK OF marbled paper wrappers by Green Dragon bindery. FARM HOUSE DESIGNS

14. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM. Twelve beautiful designs for farm-houses. A HALFPENNY RARITY The second edition. London: Robert Sayer, 1759 16. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM and JOHN. The country gentleman’s Originally published 1750. This was one of several similar books of designs pocket companion and builder’s assistant, for rural decorative architecture. by Halfpenny which exploited Daniel Garrett’s earlier (1747) Designs and London: Robert Sayer, 1753 estimates of farm houses. In the present work, each design includes not only the farm house itself, but all of the outbuildings and dependencies - a prac- First edition. A nice copy of a Halfpenny rarity. “Containing thirty-two new tice peculiarly English. Harris, BABW, 319. Park List 28, incorrectly giving designs, plans and elevations of alcoves, floats, temples, summer-houses, date of the first edition as 1749. Schimmelman 41. Archer 138.4. Both edi- lodges, huts, grottos, &c. in the Augustine, gothic and chinese taste...” A tions are rare; of the 1750 first edition OCLC locates 6 copies; of the present very rare book; I have had only one other copy in the past 48 years. BAL, edition they locates 7 copies in American libraries. Early printed books, 1438: “The text only describes plates 1-21, possibly be- cause the remaining plates are for Chinese floats rather than buildings. The 4to, orig. marbled sides, neatly respined in calf with black lettering piece. (iv)+28 pp. with 12 engr. plates. Very good copy. term ‘Augustine...Taste’ on the title page is perhaps Halfpenny’s own corrup- tion of ‘Augustan’, since it seems to refer to refer to the ‘Modern’ classical buildings illustrated in some plates.” The designs here are for garden temples A RARITY BY WILLIAM HALFPENNY and follies; they are in a rustic style of thatch, flint, moss, bark, and other rough materials. The Halfpennys were the first to popularize this style. See Harris, BABW, 287, p. 221 and illus on p. 221. Archer 131.1. Park List 21. 15. HALFPENNY, WILLIAM. [Twenty new designs of Chinese lattice and other works, for stair-cases, gates, palings, hatches, &c. on six folio copper- 8vo, recent blue and white pastepaper boards, recent calf spine, dark red lettering piece. 14 plates, with full instructions annex’d to the several divisions, scantlings, &c. pp with 25 engr. plates. thereby making the whole easy to workmen of every capacity]. Published according to Act of Parliament, December 16, 1750. London: Printed for R. Sayer opposite Fetter Lane, Fleet Street & J. Brindley in New Bond Street, 1750

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS A RARE PUBLICATION ON LONDON BRIDGE AND citing an edition as late as 1809. ONE OF ONLY TWO PUBLICATIONS BY 12mo, nicely rebound in marbled sides, calf spine, dark red lettering piece. (xvi)+346+(ii) HAWKSMOOR pp with numerous text illus. Old very light water stain in the first dozen or so leaves.

17. HAWKSMOOR, NICHOLAS. A short historical account of London- Bridge, with a proposition for a new stone-bridge at Westminster. London: J. THE PREVENTION OF FIRES IN BUILDINGS Wilcox, 1736 19. [HOLLAND, HENRY]. Resolutions of the Associated Architects; with First and only edition. A rare book but an ex-library copy with an old library the report of a committee by them appointed to consider the causes of the frequent perforation in the bottom blank margin of the title page. This is the last work fires, and the best means of preventing like in future. [London, 1793] of the aged and ill Hawksmoor (he died on March 25th, 1736), one of only two publications by this great Baroque genius. Like many architects of the An interesting and important pamphlet on two counts: as a document in the period, Hawksmoor was aroused by the prospects put forth around 1734 for early history of professional organisation of architects and as a source for the a new bridge over the Thames at Westminster, one of the major projects of student of the history of fireproof building. The members of the Association the century being the first stone bridge over the river since the 12th century. are stated at the outset; they include most of the leading architects of the late To the great annoyance of several English architects who hoped for the com- 18th century in London. The text gives detailed instructions for fireproof mission, the plum was given to a foreigner, the Swiss engineer Charles Labelye. building, and is of much interest to the building historian. The identification Hawksmoor not only prepared designs for the new bridge which he ap- of Henry Holland as the author is given in Colvin, p. 424. B. Kaye, The pended to this history but he also executed a ‘modell in stone.’ Harris, BABW, development of the archit profession in Britain, bibliog. no. 194. (p. 185). 326 and p. 232 which gives a good account of the book. BAL, Early Printed 8vo, orig. blue paper wraps, stitched, uncut, fine copy. (ii)+iv+31 pp. Unopened copy. Books, 1480.

4to, orig. marbled sides, neatly rebacked in calf with dark red spine label. 47+1 pp with 5 fdg. engr. plates. IN PRINT FOR OVER 230 YEARS

20. HOPPUS, E[DWARD]. Practical measuring made easy to the 18. HAWNEY, WILLIAM. The compleat measurer; or the whole art of meanest capacity... Ninth edition. London: Printed, by assignment from the measuring. The second edition; to which is added, an appendix 1. of gauging; trustees of E. Wicksteed, 1771 2. of land measuring. Very useful for all tradesmen, especially carpenters, bricklayers, plaisterers, painters, joyners, glasiers, masons, etc. London: Printed Originally published 1736, this remained in print until metrification in 1973. by E. Bell a.o., 1721 “As surveyor to the London Assurance Corporation from 1729 until his death in 1739, Hoppus would have been familiar with all the various branches of Originally published in 1717, this long popular manual went through six- the building industry and thereby eminently qualified to compile a compre- teen editions before 1789; it was also reprinted in America. Measuring, or hensive and authoratative ready-reckoner of the measurements of building quantity surveying, upon which contracts and valuations were made, was an materials for use in assessing costs and making valuations.” - Harris, p. 238. important part of the 18th century building industry; on the functions of the Harris, BABW, 366. It was used in the American colonies; William Buckland surveyor see chapter three in Jenkins, Architect and patron (Oxford, 1961). of Annapolis had a copy in his library. Park List 32. There were copies adver- See also chapter 4 in Harris, “Measuring and price books.” Harris states that tised for sale by Boston booksellers in 1765. Often overlooked is the material the remarkable success of the present book was due as much as anything to on nails, prices of joiner’s tools, bolts, latches, locks, and other builder’s energetic marketing by the booksellers. Harris, BABW, 328. Park List 106 hardware at the end of the book. Kress 6798.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS Tall narrow 8vo, (shaped for the pocket), orig. sheep, somewhat crudely but serviceably IT SET THE STANDARDS FOR rebacked. lxxvi+204 pp. with 1 fdg. engr. plate and 2 wood-engr text illus. Old stain on upper margin of the first two or three leaves, else good clean copy. ENGLISH BRIDGE BUILDING

22. LABELYE, CHARLES. A description of Westminster Bridge. To which THE FIRST BIOGRAPHY OF are added, an account of the methods made use of in laying the foundations of AN ENGLISH ARCHITECT its piers...with an appendix, containing several particulars, relating to the said bridge, or to the history of the building thereof. London: W. Strahan for the 21. JONES, INIGO. The most notable antiquity of Great Britain, vulgarly author, 1751 called Stone-Heng, on Salisbury Plain, restored. The second edition. (BOUND WITH): WALTER CHARLETON. Chorea Gigantum: or, the most famous First edition. “The great triumph and ultimately the great tragedy in the antiquity of Great Britain, vulgarly called Stone-Heng, standing on Salisbury career of the Swiss engineer Charles Labelye, who came to England in about Short Account Plain, restored to the Danes. The second edition. London: Printed for D. 1725, was the building of Westminster Bridge...Together the , The present state and the Description of Westminster Bridge provide a complete Browne Junior...and J. Woodman & D. Lyon, 1725 and invaluable chronology of the various resolutions, alterations, prepara- tions, and procedures from the surveys of the river for Hawksmoor’s proposals Complete as issued, but without the third part (Webb’s Vindication) and the in 1736 to the completion of the bridge in 1750.” Harris, BABW, p. 258 and index, and priced accordingly. BAL 1628 states: “The three parts of this no. 401. The title page calls for two large copperplates; they were never work may occasionally be found separately, although it seems that all copies published for which see Harris 402. Park List 107. were originally issued with the three parts together (see Harris 914).” This edition is of special note in that the “Memoirs relating to the life and writings 8vo, recent boards, printed paper lettering piece. (iv)+iv+119 pp. Late 19th cent library of Inigo Jones” is the first biography of an English architect (see Harris, p. rubber stamp on bottom margin of t.p. 506). The first title was actually written by John Webb, Jones’s pupil, from “some undigested notes” of his master, and was originally published in 1655. This is the second edition, but the first to contain Charlton’s piece (even 23. LABELYE, CHARLES. A short account of the methods made use of though it was originally published separately in 1663). Jones attributes the in laying the foundation of the piers of Westminster Bridge. With an answer to building of Stonehenge to the Romans, which was refuted by Charlton. An the chief objections that have been made thereto...to which are annex’d the plans, extensive and fascinating discussion of the Jones, Charleton and Webb titles elevations, and sections belonging to a design of a stone bridge, adapted to the is given in Harris, pp. 247-52. Harris, BABW, 384. BAL, Early printed books, stone piers which are to support Westminster-Bridge, with an explanation of 1628. This copy is complete with the frontispiece portrait of Jones engraved that design. London: Printed by A. Parker, 1739 by Hollar; it is frequently missing. Schimmelman 49 noting that the Charles- ton, S. C. Library Society had a copy of this 1725 edition. First edition. A companion piece to the same author’s better known A de- This is an interesting copy. It contains the 19th century bookplate of scription of Westminster Bridge, 1750 (for which see Park List 107). Eileen William Frederic Lawrence, Cowesfield, Wilts. who must have been a local Harris states: “Together the Short account, The present state and The descrip- antiquary; extensive tipped-in bibliographical notes, and a large envelope tion of Westminster Bridge provide a complete and invaluable chronology of with press clippings relating to Stonehenge. the various resolutions, alterations, preparations and procedures from the surveys of the river for Hawksmoor’s proposals in 1736 to the completion of 2 vols in one. Folio, recent dark brown paper sides, polished calf spine, dark red lettering piece (old style). I. Engr port., (x)+72 pp with 4 large fdg plates, 7 plates (of which 3 fdg) the bridge in 1750.” - BABW, p. 258. The plates called for in the title exist in and 3 large engr. text illus; II. Engr port., (x)+48 pp with one engr plate facing p. 6. Old only a single copy at the RA (Royal Academy of Arts, London); they were spot of heavy foxing in the lower outer margin of the Charlton. not issued with the regular edition. Harris, BABW, 405. OCLC locates but four copies in USA (UCLA, Yale, Lehigh & UVa).

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS 12mo, recent boards, morocco lettering piece. (ii)+82 pp. Lower inner blank corner of the 25. LANGLEY, BATTY. The builder’s director or bench-mate, being a t.p. repaired; damage to the blank margins of the final three leaves but not affecting letterpress. pocket treasury of the Grecian, Roman, and Gothic orders of architecture. Final leaf soiled. London: Printed for and sold by H. Piers, 1751

A BOOK FOR “THE FORGOTTEN MEN Originally published 1747, this was a popular book with at least seven later issues. Prior to the appearance of Harris & Savage’s British Architectural books WHO DID THE DAILY WORK OF BUILDING” and writers, the many publications of the Langleys were a bibliographical nightmare; the Harris & Savage book sorts them out and is prefaced by a 24. LANGLEY, BATTY. The builders compleat assistant, or a library of wonderful essay on the eccentric author. Harris comments: “With the excep- arts and sciences, absolutely necessary to be understood by builders and workmen tion of Ancient architecture, Langley’s architectural books are unoriginal, in general...proportioned by modules and minutes, according to Andrea Palladio. repetitive, slap-dash productions. Nevertheless they were continually in use The fourth edition. London: C. & R. Ware, 1766 and demand, and their influence on standard 18th century building all over the British Isles was enormous.” The present book was intended for the Originally published in 1738 with the title The builders compleat chest-book. workman and laborer as opposed to the nobleman and gentleman as ex- As has been pointed out in Eileen Harris’s bibliography, freemasonry played plained in the introduction. It is stated below the imprint: “Those who a very important role in the writing and publishing of career of Langley. purchase twelve books together, or recommend twelve buyers, shall have Harris states the book presents “a legendary history of geometry more or less One Book Gratis.” as it appears in typical MSS Constitutions of Masonry.” It was a popular Langley makes some uncharitable remarks about other architectural work and went through at least four editions, as late as ca. 1790. The text is authors and includes his own designs for the orders. Harris, BABW, 426. divided into eight sections: arithmetick, geometry, architecture, mensura- Park List 40. Colvin, p. 504. Wiebenson III-A-30 (“a much used handbook”). tion, plain trigonometry, surveying, mechanick powers, and hydrostatics. RIBA, Early printed books, 1734-6. For the Compleat chest-book the quarto plates were bound flat, oblong (“land- Builders compleat assistant 12mo, old sheep, inner hinges strengthened. xxiv+184 engr plates on 92 leaves. Gutter scape style”) whereas in all editions of the they margins of pp. iv and v have been strengthened; cloth tape touches letterpress but does not were folded in two (or in this case in thirds), and bound on stubs to match affect legibility. the octavo volume of text. “Almost all of the Langley pattern books were unoriginal produc- tions cribbed from other works; nevertheless they were immensly popular. 26. LANGLEY, BATTY. The city and country builder’s and workman’s The five hundred subscribers to The builder’s complete assistant (1738) and treasury of designs: or the art of drawing and working the ornamental parts of The country builder’s and workman’s treasury of designs (1740) came from Can- architecture. London: Printed and sold by S. Harding, 1745 terbury, York, Ipswich, Gloucester, Woodbridge, Malton, Norwich, York, Lower Hardress in Kent, and, of course, from London and its environs. Originally published 1740. This was a long popular book; it was still in print They were carpenters, joiners, glaziers, masons, surveyors, carvers, and crafts- in a fifth edition in the late 1770s. Helen Park called this book the “third men such as these. With few exceptions...they are the forgotten men who did most often consulted [architectural] book” in the pre-Revolutionary Ameri- the daily work of building.” - Harris, BABW, p. 268. Harris 421. Park List can colonies; she found 20 references to it. As a widely used design source it 39. Colvin, p. 504. New Berlin Catalogue 2275m. Provenance: Inscribed is one of the few 18th century architectural books which is indispensable to “William Pollock his book-gorbals, 1794.” any well-rounded collection on American colonial architecture. In addition, 2 vols in one. Thick 8vo, orig. calf, orig. spine lettering piece. (iv)+201+(iii) pp. with 77 it contains important furniture designs (see Ward-Jackson 35-36). The au- engr plates folded in thirds and bound on stubs. Wants the blank front fly but a very good thor seems not to have held cabinetmakers in much esteem; in his introductory copy. remarks he says that they “originally, were no more than spurious indocible chips; expelled by joiners for the superfluity of their sap. ’Tis a very great

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS difficulty to find one in fifty of them that can make a book-case &c., indis- First edition. This was one of Langley’s most ambitious works, of particular pensably true, after any one of the five orders...” Harris, BABW, 450. Park interest for the material on garden ornament and garden plans. Thomas List 42. All editions from 1745 on have a supplement of 14 separately num- Jefferson had a copy (Sowerby 4185). Eileen Harris points out that it was bered plates of roof trusses. [Langley’s] “dedication of the fraternity of [free-masonry] over and above This copy belonged to Alexander McMillan Welch (1869-1943), a self-interest or financial gain, that gave meaning and direction to his career as distinguished New York City architect. He is given a long note in Withey, an architectural publisher.” The present work, practical geometry, was a Ma- which states: “There [in his office, at 15 E. 71st St] he installed his Library, sonic subject and indeed the book was dedicated to Lord Paisley, who was one of the largest and most important collections of architectural works in installed as a Grand Master on 27 Dec. 1725. Park List 24. The Library New York.” It was subsequently owned by James Grote Vanderpool (1903- Company of Philadelphia had a copy in 1746. BAL, Early printed books, no. 1979), Dean of the school of architecture at Columbia University, a prominent 1753. Harris, BABW, 465. Roger Gaskell states that the woodcut decora- preservationist and director of Avery Library. tions in the text are readily identifiable as those of Samuel Palmer, one of the best printers of the period. 4to, orig. calf, resewn and rebacked by Green Dragon Bindery. (11)+22 pp with 186+14 engr. plates. Lightly browned throughout but a good sound copy. Folio, old panelled calf, dark red lettering piece, spine rubbed. (iv)+(iv)+viii+(8)+136 pp. and 40 plates numbered 1-39, 41 (which is correct; see Harris). Title page (in red and black) has been washed. 27. LANGLEY, BATTY. The Landed Gentleman’s useful companion, or, a sure and easy method of improving estates by plantation of oak, elm, beech, birch, platanus, Portugal chestnut, horse chestnut, walnut...etc. Wherein is BATTY LANGLEY VITRIOL demonstrated, the necessity and advantage thereof; with their manner of raising, cultivating, felling. The whole being founded on above Thirty Years Experience, 29. LANGLEY, BATTY. A survey of Westminster Bridge as ’tis now sinking and now first published for the benefit of the publick by a Country Gentleman. into ruin...with remarks on the piratical method of building the piers. London: London: Printed for James Hodges, 1741 M. Cooper, 1748

Originally published in 1728 as A sure method of improving estates. The present First edition. Westminster Bridge was to be the first stone bridge to be built issue has the same text with a slightly variant cancel title page. The timber over the Thames since London Bridge in the thirteenth century. The Swiss shortage at this time was a critical problem in England. Langley also ad- engineer Charles Labelye (1705-1781) was given the commission and it dresses the matter of ornamental plantations of trees. Harris, BABW, 470 rankled the English community of architects and engineers. When one of his with the comment that there are two issues with varying pagination of the piers collapsed it brought forth a spate of pamphlets, of which the present is preliminaries. This reissue has the irregular pagination of the prelims cor- one. “The frontispiece, with its image of Labelye swinging from a gallows rected. Of this issue OCLC locates 8 copies in American libraries. beneath his own bridge (‘The Swiss Imposter rewarded, as his Ignorance justly deserves’), accurately reflects the tone of the whole pamphlet. With 8vo, early full speckled calf, slight chip to the head of spine. [x]+xx+274 pp with a fdg. less bombast, Langley might perhaps have gained the recognition he obvi- engr. frontisp. Early ownership inscription of James Tolefree, 1771 and Elizabeth Tolefree, 1785. Hinges cracked but holding. ously wanted, for hidden among all the fiery insults was the advice, which Labelye was eventually to follow...As it was the present squib probably did Langley’s reputation more harm than good in the eyes of the Commission- 28. LANGLEY, BATTY. Practical geometry applied to the useful arts of ers.”- RIBA. The whole story is fascinating and is given in Harris. Harris building, surveying, gardening and mensuration: calculated for the service of 472. RIBA, Early printed books, 1757. Rare; this is only the second copy I gentlemen as well as artisans. London: Printed for W. and J. Innys, 1726 have had in 48 years. 8vo, recent half calf, antique. viii+47+1 pp with engr frontisp.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS “BATTY LANGLEY GOTHIC” plan and elevation of a town house with party walls. The frontispiece is a fine perspective view of a house going up with various tradesmen at work. 18th 30. LANGLEY, B. & T. Gothic architecture, improved by rules and century owner’s inscription: John Hearn, Saffron Walden, Essex. Harris, proportions, in many grand designs...with plans, elevations, and profiles BABW, 481. geometrically explained...to which is added an historical dissertation on Gothic 8vo, orig. calf, neatly rebacked. viii+263+5 pp. with engr. frontisp. and 3 engr. plates, of architecture. London: I. & J. Taylor, n.d. [ca. 1790] which 2 are folding. The folding plate of the town house is worn and browned at the fold, but is intact. Originally published 1742 with the title Ancient architecture. One of the high spots of 18th century architectural publishing, this is often dismissed as a rococo whimsy; it is in fact “a work of some originality...the spirit of the 32. LE CLERC, SEBASTIAN. A treatise of architecture, with remarks designs is Kentian, their detail shows first-hand acquaintance with authentic and observations necessary for young people who would apply themselves to that examples including Westminster Abbey, whose ‘order’ is engraved, if not noble art. London: Richard Ware, 1732 accurately, at least recognizably. Technically the designs are quite able, in the sense that the distribution of enrichments and the moulded profiles show a Originally published Paris, 1714; the first English edition was published by mind not insensitive to the grammar of classical design.” - Summerson, Archit subscription and appeared 1723/4. It was translated from the original French in Britain, 229). Eileen Harris gives the work and its origin much attention. edition by Ephriam Chambers. The book remained in print for nearly 25 See also McCarty, The origins of the Gothic Revival, ch. 1. The work was used years; Eileen Harris comments: “The demand for it must be due largely to in the American colonies by William Buckland in his designs for Gunston the fact that it was, at that time, the only systematic treatise in English which Hall. Harris, BABW, 411. Park List 43. Archer 172.3. Schimmelman 61. covered in full what Sir William Chambers in 1759 called ‘the Decorative New Berlin Catalogue 2276. Wiebenson III-A-29. Part of Civil Architecture’: the orders, their ornaments and accompaniments This copy has a good provenance. The front fly is inscribed ‘John - mouldings, imposts, arches, pediments, doors, windows, gates, balusters, Stead’s Book / Corn Exchange / Wake’ in an early hand. Colvin, p. 777, states balconies, niches, etc,” Harris, BABW, 485. Fowler 173 (undated edition). that John Stead practiced in Wakefield in the 1820s. This copy has further Park List 46. The work is particularly notable for the very fine quality of evidence of Stead’s architectural competence in the form of 3 laid in scraps of Sturt’s engravings. paper with pen and pencil drawings of gothic moulding profiles. 2 vols. 8vo, orig. calf, both vols neatly rebacked. (viii)+v+143+(iii) pp. with engr. author’s portrait. Plate vol: Engr. t.p. with vignette; engr. frontisp. on verso of t.p. (this is plate 79); 4to, cont. sheep, spine repaired at an early date with old canvas, a charming and honest 4 pp. of engr. arms of buildings trades companies and plates 1-60, 61A, 61B, 62-78; 80- repair. (ii)+7+1 pp with plates numb. 1-62, A,B. Title page is engraved. Good clean copy. 181. With 18th cent. engr. bookplates of H. & W. Berens. Very nice set. Preserved in a linen folding back box with morocco spine label.

31. LEADBETTER, J. The gentleman and tradesman’s compleat 33. LONDON. The Acts of Parliament relating to the building of Fifty assistant, or the whole art of measuring and estimating made easy. The third New Churches in and about the cities of London and Westminster. London: edition. London: Printed for A. Webley, 1770 John Baskett, 1721

Originally published in 1768, at the height of the greatest building boom of Nice copy. A document of key importance for the student of 18th century the eighteenth century. “Though nominally addressed to ‘Gentlemen and London churches. “Just as the great fire of 1666 marks a new initiative in Tradesmen’ it was primarily intended for the latter - for the large body of church building, so the Act for Building Fifty New Churches of 1711 marks Architecture in Britain artificers who were ‘not capable of measuring, valuing or estimating their another.” - Summerson, , pp. 174-5. Nicholas own works’ and therefore were liable to be exploited by commercially minded Hawksmoor was one of the two surveyors appointed in 1711. In the event BABW masters and architects.” - (Harris). To this third edition has been added a only twelve churches were completed. This is not mentioned in Harris, ,

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS whereas she does list The Building Act of 1774 (Harris 91-94). Not in the 36. MORRIS, ROBERT. Architecture improved, in a collection of modern, BAL Catalogue. elegant and useful designs; from slight and graceful recesses, lodges and other 8vo, orig. calf, blind filets on covers. Neatly rehinged. 179+(xx) pp. decorations in parks, gardens, woods or forests, to the portico, bath, observatory, and interior ornaments of superb buildings. London: Robert Sayer, 1755

34. LONDON. (ST. PAUL’S CATHEDRAL). An Act for the Finishing Originally published 1751 as The Architectural Remembrancer; both editions and Adorning the Cathedral Church of Saint Paul’s, London. London: Printed are rare. Morris’s primary contribution to architecture was as an author. In by Charles Bill, 1702 addition to his works of architectural theory in support of the English Palla- dian movement, he authored two important pattern books, Rural architecture, An act to appropriate more money to finish Saint Paul’s. (1750), and the present work, which supplied designs consistent with his Tall 4to, disbound. Title page and 8 pp of letterpress in black letter as usual for Acts of earlier theories promoting classical proportions, symmetry and simplicity. Parliament. pp ii+427-434. Slight wormhole through blank margin. Of particular note in the present work are the “great variety of rich embel- lishments for chimneys (i.e. mantelpieces) in the taste of Inigo Jones, Mr. Kent, etc.” There are also a number of charming designs for small symmetri- PLATES HAND COLORED WITH cal garden temples. Park List 52 cites the 1755 edition with four 18th century CHARM AND DELICACY references (but to the first edition of 1751 there are no references at all). Berlin Catalogue 2284. Colvin, p. 558. Harris, BABW, 565. NUC locates 35. MIDDLETON, CHARLES. The architect and builder’s miscellany, three copies (Harvard, Yale and Oberlin). The present copy lacks the last leaf or pocket library; containing original picturesque designs in architecture. of letterpress (pp xv-xvi) and is priced accordingly. London: Printed for the author and sold by J. Debrett, J. Taylor a.o., 1799 8vo, later half polished calf spine and corners; marbled sides. xiv (ex-xvi) pp. with 50 engr. First edition. A charming and uncommon color plate book giving plans and plates. T.p. printed in red and black. With the attractive bookplate of Marshall Sisson, Farm Hall, Godmanchester. elevations for “cottages, farm, country and town houses, public buildings, temples, greenhouses, bridges, lodges and gates for the entrances to parks and pleasure grounds, stables, monumental tombs, garden seats, etc.” John 37. NEVE, RICHARD. The city and country purchaser’s and builder’s Archer has stated that “Middleton adopted a manner of illustration that was dictionary: or, the complete builder’s guide. The second edition, with additions. peculiarly his own. The designs are etched in a nervous line that obscures smaller details but delineates significant features of the building design and London: D. Browne, a.o., 1726 surrounding scenery, and also contributes an uncommon liveliness and ani- mation to the illustration as a whole. The plates are further distinguished by Originally published in 1703, this was, to quote Eileen Harris, “an entirely bright, sometimes garish coloring in ocher, salmon, pale green, bright green, new type of architectural book.” It went to this second edition in 1726 and a and bright blue tints.” (The lit. of Brit. domestic archit., p. 563). The coloring third edition in 1736. Harris: “Although the date of Neve’s death is un- in this copy is not bright and garish; it is subdued and delicate (if occasion- known, it can safely be assumed that it was before 1726, when the second ally a little slap-dash). Middleton was a pupil of James Paine and is noted in edition of his dictionary appeared with an advertisement drawing attention Colvin, p. 548. Berlin Catalogue 2310. BAL, Early printed books, 2117 (im- to the errors and omissions in the original work. The anonymous critical perfect copy lacking 4 plates). This copy is inscribed “And. Notman, a present editor [was] probably John Ozell...” (Harris goes on to give a long and from the Right Hon’ble Baroness de Ros.” interesting rationale for this statement). Harris, BABW, 596. Park List 58. Kress 3657. 8vo, orig. speckled calf, gilt spine, expertly rehinged. Letterpress t.p., Ded. leaf, ‘Address to the Public’ and 60 etched plates of which 52 are delicately hand-colored; the remaining 8 8vo, original full calf, neatly rebacked with dark red lettering piece. xii+xx+142 ff. First few are uncolored floor plans. and the last few pages with scattered foxing. Else a very good copy.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS 38. NICHOLSON, PETER. The student’s instructor in drawing and Schimmelman 93. Berlin Catalogue 2287. Archer 236.1. Colvin, p. 606. working the five orders of architecture. London: I. and J. Taylor, 1795 Early ownership inscription of ‘T. Hogg.’ Folio, recent tan linen sides, calf spine, raised bands, dark red lettering piece. (vi)+4 pp plus First edition. This was of one of Nicholson’s most popular works; by 1837 it pp 5-81 which are in fact engraved plates counted as pages. Total of 77 plates as is correct. was being reprinted in New York. “Nicholson was one of the leading intel- T.p. is printed in red & black. A nice clean copy. lects behind nineteenth century building technology. He used his great ability as a mathematician to simplify many old formulae used by architectural draughtsmen as well as to devise new ones.” - Colvin, p. 594. His several 40. PAIN, WILLIAM. The practical builder; or workman’s general works were very influential on the publications of the American Asher Ben- assistant. London: I. Taylor, 1776 jamin. BAL gives a good note: “This is the first edition of Nicholson’s popular handbook aimed at draughtsmen and architectural students. A second ap- Originally published 1774, this was one of the major 18th century pattern peared in 1804, a third in 1810, a fourth in 1815, and the work continued to books. It was reprinted in Boston in 1792 and went through at least eight be reprinted until 1845, when a ‘new edition’ was published by M. Taylor, to London editions. This and Pain’s other works served as design sources not whom the copyright had passed following his uncle Josiah Taylor’s death in only for architects and builders but also for cabinet makers and carvers. Colvin, 1834. The last edition may have been an undated printing of around 1861.” p. 606, pointing out the books of William Pain were “as successful in popu- - no. 2301. Schimmelman 86. The present copy has the early ownership larizing the ‘Adam’ style as the earlier books of William Halfpenny had been signature of John Taylor at head of title page. in disseminating Palladianism and rococo motifs. In fact it was this specific book which introduced details of the Adam taste: ‘the very great 8vo, orig. calf, neatly rebacked. iv+29+(iii) pp. with 33 engr. plates (several fdg). Light water stain to lower corner of first five plates; foxing to all engraved plates. revolution...which of late has so generally prevailed in the Stile of Architec- ture, especially in the decorative and ornamental department’ yet which ‘is vainly sought in any other practical treatise.’ Harris, BABW, 646. Archer FIRST EDITI0N OF PAIN’S FIRST BOOK 240.1. Schimmelman 98. See Wiebenson III-C-24. 4to, modern tan linen sides, calf spine with raised bands, dark red lettering piece. (vi) pp.+ 39. PAIN, WILLIAM. The builder’s companion and workman’s general 6 pp of letterpress (explanations to the plates) and 83 engr. plates. Scattered light foxing. At assistant: demonstrating, after the most easy and practical method, all the the bottom of the t.p. is a small old rubber stamp “Printed in Great Britain.” principal rules of architecture. London: Printed for the author and Robert Sayer, 1758 ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PATTERN First edition of Pain’s first book. It was a popular and widely used 18th BOOKS OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY century pattern book, especially in America. “A practical minded collection of plates and captions illustrating how to design and execute foundations, 41. PAIN, WILLIAM. The practical house carpenter; or, youth’s instructor: chimneys, geometrical figures for architectural use; brick and stone arches; containing a great variety of useful designs in carpentry and architecture...sixth roof and dome framing; stairs and railings, etc. There are two chapters on edition, corrected. London: J. Taylor at the Architectural Library, 1799 the orders and related details, such as entablatures, mouldings, mantles and a ‘Venetian’ window. There is also a chapter on Gothic columns, doors, win- A long popular and very influential book, it was originally published in 1788; dows and mouldings. The imposition of Gothic details on classical structures the second edition appeared in 1789. This may well have been the single suggest the influence of Langley’s Gothic architecture improved.” - Wiebenson most influential architectural book in late 18th and early 19th century America. III-C-24. William Pain was a highly important architectural writer; as Eileen Not only was it reprinted twice here (Boston, 1796; Philadelphia, 1797), it Harris points out, in America the demand for his books exceeded that of any was also the immediate source for much of the material in America’s first other 18th century English author. Harris, BABW, 612. Park List 63. original architectural book, Asher Benjamin’s Country builder’s assistant,

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS Greenfield, Ma., 1797. One can still see many “William Pain doorcases” than other editions then on the market. Isaac Ware, in the advertisement to throughout the eastern states. Colvin, p. 606. Berlin Catalogue 2301. Har- his translation of Palladio (London, 1738) dismissed it rather arrogantly as ris, BABW, 656. BAL 2373 and 2374 (editions of 1788 and 1794) with “done with so little understanding, so much negligence, that it cannot but excellent note. Bound at the end of this edition is “A list of prices for materi- give great offence to the judicious, and be of very bad consequence in mis- als and labour...1791” (22 pages). leading the unskilful, into whose hands it may happen to fall.” It was indeed a slap-dash production and was so carelessly put together that such copies as 4to, recent full calf. 4 ff+15 ff of letterpress with plates numb. 1-148 (with 5 double-p.: 60, 63, 82, 83, 84); List of prices bound at the rear, 22 pp. Very good, very clean copy. have survived tend to differ in collation and plate count. Though the title page calls for 226 copper plates this copy contains 224 by plate number. However, by counting the leaves there are 210 engraved plates (which corre- 42. PAIN, WILLIAM & JAMES. Pain’s British Palladio: or, the builder’s sponds with the last copy I owned and that copy was complete). This copy general assistant. London: Printed for I. & J. Taylor, 1790 does lack plate 94 of Book IV (it was never bound in). A similar lacune appears in the BAL copy; that copy lacks pl. 96 in book 4. Eileen Harris Originally published 1786. This was Pain’s last book, in which he was as- wrote: “But Cole’s cheap concoction, unscrupulous though it was, had sev- sisted by his son James, who later became a pupil of John Nash and a practicing eral beneficial consequences. It quickly drew attention to the urgent need for architect in Ireland. This book is transitional, spanning the period concerned a correct as well as complete edition of Palladio’s works and was indirectly primarily with building technology to that of the early house publications. responsible for Ware’s definitive version...it also set an extremely competitive This was one of the few 18th century pattern books to enable the experi- price and thereby succeeded in extending the dissemination of the Palladian enced builder to follow a design through from groundwork to execution; it style.” - Harris, p. 363. The BAL catalogue goes on to discuss “the corrupt devotes one third of its plates to four complete designs for houses, and the nature of the text and plates.” The note further states: “It seems that the rest to their fixtures and fittings. The designs combine Palladian massing, nature of the work, intended as a cheap reference tool for students, builders plans and details with Neoclassical surface treatment and Adamesque interi- and architects, has meant that relatively few copies of the two editions have ors. All of William Pain’s books were influential in America (this title is listed survived.” OCLC locates just 3 copies in this country: MFA Houston, in Schimmelman, Archit treatises...available in America...through 1800, no. UTAustin and Duke. This copy is priced accordingly; the last complete copy 97). Wiebenson, III-C-24. BAL, 2368-2370. Harris 636. I sold was priced $8500.

Folio, orig full calf, neatly rebacked. 4+16 pp with 42 engr. plates (of which 2 double-p). 2 vols, folio, cont. calf, rebacked with red leather title pieces. 251+(10) pp. Pagination Nice clean copy. irregular: Pages 34, 35, 243-246 and 250 are misnumbered 38, 33, 245-248 and 248 respectively. Engr. frontisp., engr. t.p., & engr. ded leaf and 225 plates (counted by plate number) or 210 plates counted by leaf (several 2 or 3 part). A clean, crisp, honest and HOPPUS’S PALLADIO unsophisticated copy. Despite the defects, very appealing. THE SECOND COMPLETE ENGLISH EDITION PALLADIO IN ENGLISH 43. PALLADIO, ANDREA. Andrea Palladio’s Architecture, in four books...carefully revised and redelineated by EDW. HOPPUS...and embellished 44. PALLADIO, ANDREA. The first book of architecture...translated with a large variety of chimney pieces collected from the works of Inigo Jones and out of Italian, with an appendix touching doors and windows, by Pr. Le Muet. others. London: Benjamin Cole, 1735 Translated into English by Godfrey Richards...Eleventh edition, corrected and enlarged. London: Printed by Edwin Midwinter, 1729 First edition of the Hoppus version, originally published in parts. This was the second complete English edition of Palladio after Leoni’s. Though it was The first edition of this first English translation of Palladio appeared in 1663. dedicated to Lord Burlington (without his permission) this was primarily All the 18th century editions of this book including the present issue of 1729 intended for the building trades class, and was priced substantially lower

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS are afflicted with irregular pagination and plate numbering but this copy is A large untrimmed copy printed on thick paper. Originally published 1785. quite complete. Thomas Jefferson had the edition of 1700 (O’Neal 94). He There were further editions in 1790, 1794, 1796, 1800, and 1802. Archer loaned his copy to the contractor James Oldham who wrote to him Dec. 260.1. Archer calls this the first example of a genre of British architectural 122, 1804: “There never was a Palladio here [in Washington] even in private literature often described informally as the “villa book,” and Eileen Harris hands till I bought one...I send you my portable edition, which I value be- calls this specific book the beginning of the Picturesque and thus the termi- cause it is portable. It contains only the first book on the orders which is the nus to her bibliography. Archer claims this to be the first British architectural essential part.” Harris, BABW, 682. Fowler 220 (edition of 1668). Park 69. book to include aquatinted plates. Wiebenson III-D-37: “Unlike an earlier This copy is clean and crisp and absolutely complete, and rare thus. All edi- class of cottage publications which was socially conscious and concerned tions are now difficult to find. with housing reform, utility and economy of construction, Rural architec- ture concentrated almost entirely on the picturesque character of vernacular 4to, modern marbled sides, calf spine, dark red lettering piece, nicely bound. (2)+238 pp with engr. t.p., folding engr. model of St. Paul’s and 70 engr. plates of which 4 folding. architecture and rustic building materials. Plaw’s book was the first of a class of house publications in which the house was illustrated in a picturesque landscape, the plan was subordinated to the picturesque effect of elevation, BY A ‘BRICKLAYER’S LABOURER’ and the newly developed medium of aquatint was used to give a picturesque character to his illustrations.” Colvin, p. 642. Berlin Catalogue 2296 (edi- 45. [PEACOCK, JAMES]. Oikidia, or, nutshells: being ichnographic tion of 1794). Abbey, Life, 47 (edition of 1790). distributions for small villas...with occasional remarks by Jose MacPacke, a Small folio, old marbled sides, modern calf spine, dark red lettering piece. 8 pp+(viii) pp bricklayer’s labourer. London: the author, 1785 list of subscribers and 61 aquatint plates. All of the elevations are in bistre aquatint. Scattered foxing on the first dozen or so leaves. First edition of Peacock’s “most important book” (Colvin, p. 628) but a copy which is defective and priced accordingly. It contains 23 (ex-25) en- graved plans for small villas, together with some satirical directions for THE STANDARD 18TH CENTURY prospective builders, which are quoted at length in Jenkins, Architect and CARPENTER’S HANDBOOK patron, pp. 143-44. Indeed, due to his discursive and satirical style, Eileen Harris wonders how seriously to take some of his comments. The material 47. PRICE, FRANCIS. The British carpenter, or, a treatise on carpentry. on settling accounts with tradesmen, though written with heavy irony, is The third edition, enlarged, and illustrated with sixty-two copper plates. London: important for the light it sheds on economic practices of the time. Harris, Printed by C. & J. Ackers, a.o., 1753 BABW, 694. Berlin Catalogue 2295. Schimmelman, 102. Archer 255.1 with long note. First published in 1733, this was “the first comprehensive work on carpentry in English and the standard one for the remainder of the century.” - Harris. 8vo, contemp. polished tree calf, dark green lettering piece. (iv)+89 pp. with 23+2 engr. plates. Page 43/44 and plates 19 and 20 were never bound in. The supplement gives Palladio’s orders “proportioned and adjusted by divi- sions on scales” which enabled the ordinary carpenter to visually proportion the orders without the use of fractions. The book was very popular in the LARGE UNTRIMMED COPY PRINTED American Colonies; Helen Park found more references to it (27) than to any ON THICK PAPER other single title. It was in fact not superseded until 1820 when Thomas Tredgold published his Elements of carpentry. Harris, BABW, 712. BAL, Early printed books describes editions of 1735 and 1753 (nos. 2615, 2616). Park Rural architecture; or designs, from the simple cottage 46. PLAW, JOHN. List 67. Cicognara 953. to the decorated villa; including some which have been executed. London: J. & J. Taylor, 1794

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS 4to, recent calf spine, marbled boards by Green Dragon Bindery. viii+72 pp with 2 engr. LARGE PAPER COPY, UNTRIMMED frontispieces (the first a tablet with the approbation of Hawksmoor, James and Gibbs; the second, to the supplement, a bust of Palladio on a pedestal) and 72 engr. plates. T.p. and frontisp mounted. A rather worn copy but nicely restored and absolutely complete. 50. RAWLINS, THOMAS. Familiar architecture; consisting of original designs for houses for Gentlemen and Tradesmen, Parsonages and Summer- Retreats... [?Norwich], Printed for the Author, 1768 48. PRICE, FRANCIS. A series of particular and useful observations, made with great diligence and care, upon that admirable structure, the First edition. Printed certification at foot of title: “N.B. No copy of this Cathedral-Church of Salisbury. London: C. & J. Akers, and R. Baldwin, work is authentic that has not my Name in my own Hand-Writing affixed to 1753 it in the title page.” This copy is indeed signed by the author. It contains original designs in the English Palladian style for gentlemen’s and tradesmen’s First edition of the first book to seriously attempt a structural analysis of houses, parsonages, summer retreats, churches, etc. Rawlins includes a trian- Gothic architecture, and, as such, a work of importance (see P. Ferriday, gular planned building in an effort to refute the statements of Isaac Ware and “Francis Price, Carpenter,” The Architectural Review, (Nov. 1953), pp. 327- William Chambers who “utterly rejected [this plan] as incapable of any de- 28). See also Eileen Harris who elaborates on this point. She points out that sign within” (see E. Kauffman, Archit. in the age of reason, and W. Hermann, the plans, elevations and sections of the Cathedral are amoung the earliest Laugier and 18th century French theory, p. 183). Eileen Harris compares the analytical renderings of a Gothic building, preceded only by Smith’s Speci- book with Swan’s Collection of designs in architecture, 1757, and Crunden’s mens of ancient carpentry (1736). Harris, BABW, 705. Convenient and ornamental architecture, 1767 (but it is much rarer than those two books). Harris, BABW, 732. Fowler 275. Colvin, p. 672. Wiebenson, 4to, recent calf spine, cloth sides, antique. (xiv)+v+78+1 pp. with engr. frontisp (numb pl 1, facing 1), and 13 plates (1 fdg). Light foxing. III-D-33, pointing out that it is “a pretentious work that was parodied by Peacock in Nutshells (1785) for its eccentricities of plan and measurements”. Schimmelman 112. NUC locates four copies. Millard, English Books, 64 (this 49. [RALPH, JAMES]. A critical review of the publick buildings, statues edition) with interesting note. and ornaments in, and about London and Westminster. To which is prefix’d the Small folio, modern cloth sides, polished calf spine and corners, died dark brown; morocco dimensions of St. Peter’s Church at Rome, and St. Paul’s Cathedral at London. title label lettered in gilt. (2)+viii+9-30; (2) explanatory leaf of text to the final plate. With London: C. Ackers for J. Wilford and J. Clarke, 1734 60 engr. plates

First edition. A controversial and important book by an American and friend 51. RICHARDSON, GEORGE. A treatise on the five orders of of Benjamin Franklin who settled in London in the 1720s. Summerson calls architecture ... accompanied with observations made on several of the antiquities him “an embittered and stupid critic” - Georgian London, p. 87, and it is true that Ralph does not hide his prejudices; he was a staunch Palladian and dis- at Rome, with various parts of Italy, at Pola in Istria, and the southern provinces missed all earlier work, including Hawksmoor’s churches, as “Gothic heaps of France in the years 1760, 1761, 1762 and 1763. London: Printed for the of stone, without form or order”. Park List 68. Harris, BABW, no. 727 with author, 1787 a long and fascinating note. See also BAL, Early printed books, 2700 - “the work was very influential.” First edition. Richardson is known primarily as one of the major dissemina- tors of the Adam style of decoration, as indeed he should be, having spent 18 8vo, beautifully rebound with marbled sides, calf spine, dark red lettering piece. years as draftsman and designer to the brothers. His publications were nu- (viii)+viii+119 pp. with folding letterpress table. With the Macclesfield bookplate (North Library, 1860). Half title foxed, else a very good copy. merous (Colvin lists eleven books; Harris lists eight), and with one exception (Iconology), he engraved in aquatint all the plates for his books. Harris, BABW, 744. Berlin Catalogue 2297. Abbey, Life, 58. Colvin, p. 687. Harris states: “In his Treatise of the Five Orders (1787), forms and proportions are pur-

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS posely varied so that ‘the Ideas of the student should not be circumscribed on Hutton’s Treatise of 1770. Robertson is perhaps better known to architec- all occasions to the same rules’, that ‘genius and invention’ may be given tural historians for his Treatise of...mathematical instruments of 1747. Harris, scope, and his ‘collection of designs [be rendered] more pleasing than a rep- BABW, 750. etition of the same forms and proportions’. 12mo, recent marbled sides, calf spine. xvi+353+(iii) pp with 3 fdg engr plates. Occas Large folio, recent marbled boards, calf spine, dark red lettering piece. (x)+32 pp with 22 marginal soiling but no loss of text or letterpress. For this sort of book a very good copy. plates in uncolored aquatint. Some foxing on the first plate, a few of the other plates foxed in the margins. 54. RUDIMENTS of ancient architecture, containing an historical account 52. [RIOU, STEPHEN]. The Grecian orders of architecture. Delineated of the five orders, with their proportions, and examples of each from antiques; and explained from the Antiquities of Athens...to which are added remarks also extracts from Vitruvius, Pliny...with a dictionary of terms. The second edition, concerning publick and private edifices with designs. London: J. Dixwell for much enlarged. London: I. & J. Taylor, 1794 (BOUND WITH) Essays on the author, 1768 gothic architecture by T. Warton, J. Bentham, Capt. Grose & J. Milner. London: J. Taylor, 1800 First and only edition, a good clean untrimmed copy. As pointed out by Howard Colvin, ‘this was intended to give wider currency to the discoveries Fine copy. The Rudiments, originally published 1789, was meant for the of Stuart and Revett, and included a number of plates drawn by the author to general reader. “The identity of the anonymous author has not been discov- show how Grecian features could be incorporated in buildings of basically ered. He was clearly a gentleman of scholarly bent, well grounded in the Palladian character.’ - Biog. Dict., p. 693. In his preface Riou gives the first classics, and familiar with the major antiquarian and architectural publica- English checklist of Vitruvian manuscripts and printed editions. Eileen Har- tions of the period.” - Harris. The text is based on Chambers, Treatise; Stuart ris gives a good account of the origins of the book and a fascinating and Revett, Antiquities; Norden, Travels in Nubia; Piranesi, Della magnificenza; commentary on its relationship to the works of LeRoy and Stuart and Revett. Newton, Vitruvius; and Castell, Villas and perhaps other sources. Harris, In part II of the work Riou gives some interesting designs of his own: a BABW, 763. Colvin, p. 795, notes the portrait. Archer 302.2. Schimmelman church after the manner of an antique temple, Cenotaph (a grand machine 119. BAL, Early printed books, 2871. for fireworks); Design for an open place at White Hall, with porticoes; de- The Essays on gothic architecture were first published in 1800 (the sign for a new street (i.e. row houses) in the city; a town house, a villa of present copy is the second edition as indicated by the fact that p. 13 is trapezoidal plan with wings, a country house and a most extraordinary oc- misnumbered 11). BAL, Early printed books, 1001 with fascinating note. tagonally-planned hunter’s hall. Harris states that the reception to these designs 2 vols in one. 8vo, full contemp. speckled calf, dark red lettering piece, spine with handsome was “lukewarm.” Harris, BABW, 746. Park List 116. gilt stamps. xvi+117+(ii) pp with 11 plates numbered [1], 2-4, 4*, 5-10 and with engr. port. vignette on t.p. Essays: xxiii+149+(ii) pp. with 10 engr plates of which 2 fdg. 18th Folio, recently bound with tan linen sides, polished calf spine and corners, dark red morocco cent. engr. bookplate of George W. Gent. lettering piece. (xx)+78 pp with 18+10 engr. plates of which 8 are double-p. Engr. vignette on title and 6 engravings in the text. A nice copy. A RARE BOOK, AND A COPY WITH AN EARLY 53. ROBERTSON, J[OHN]. A general treatise of mensuration: AMERICAN PROVENANCE containing many useful and necessary improvements composed for the benefit of artificers, builders, measurers, surveyors, gaugers, farmers, gentlemen, young 55. The RUDIMENTS of Architecture; or the Young Workman’s students, etc. Fourth edition. London: J. Nourse, 1779 Instructor...with twenty-three elegant designs of buildings, the most of which have been actually executed in North Britain. London: John Donaldson, Originally published 1739, this was esteemed “the only book of any value 1775 that could be consulted either by artisan or mathematician” until Charles

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS Originally published 1772 in Edinburgh. BAL, Early Printed Books: “Harris 12mo, orig. sheep. About one half inch of leather missing at top of spine, else a very good identifies this practical treatise for the instruction of workmen, especially copy. xii+108 pp. with 1 fdg table printed on both sides. those in Scotland, as being selected mainly from Salmon’s Palladio Londinensis (1762 edition), and to a lesser degree from Le Clerc’s Treatise (1723-24), while the concluding designs for houses are copied with minor variations 57. SALMON, WILLIAM. The London and country builder’s vade from those drawn by the Edinburgh stone-mason George Jameson and pub- mecum: or, the compleat and universal architect’s assistant. Third edition, revised lished as Thirty-three designs (1765). The rudiments of architecture was first and corrected. London: J. Hodges, 1755 published in 1772...Another edition (or more likely another edition of the same sheets) was published in London 1775...Harris notes that the success A fine crisp copy. Originally published 1741. Harris states that Salmon was of the compilation is due more to the absence of other such works printed in not deterred, as other authors doubtless were, by objections that prices dif- Scotland and the efforts of the publishers than to the second-hand second- fered throughout the country. This was a much used book in the colonies, rate contents. The large folded plate XIII is often missing from copies having advertised by Boston, New York and Philadelphia booksellers in the 1750s either been removed by an unscrupulous bookseller for separate sale, or by and 1760s. With Salmon’s other price books, it served as a standard of refer- an architect for framing on the office wall.” (no. 2874). It is present in the ence for establishing prices for the various building trades in America before copy here. Harris, BABW, 769. Both Harris and OCLC locate just one copy, the Revolution; after the war price books compiled and published by Ameri- the same copy, at Yale. cans began to appear. Harris, BABW, 790. Park List 74. Archer 437.2. The present copy has an American provenance right back to the 18th Schimmelman 124 citing 7 pre-1800 references. Wallis, Brit. Mathematics, century. It is signed on the front fly-leaf “George G. Erving Boston Dec. 727SAL45/48. Colvin, p. 711. 10th, 1792 / Benj Hale Oct. 1858.” (Hale was the author of Introduction to 8vo, orig. full polished sheep, upper joints starting but a fine clean and crisp copy. the mechanical principles of carpentry, Boston & Gardiner, Me., 1827). (ii)+x+187+1 pp with engr. frontisp.

4to, recent tan cloth sides, calf spine with raised bands and dark red lettering piece. (viii)+127+(1)+6+(16) pp with 47 plates (ex-48); Plate 3 in the final section was never bound in. All 5 of the folding plates in the first part are present. Scattered foxing throughout. 58. SALMON, WILLIAM. Palladio Londinensis: or, the London art of building. The second edition, inriched with fifteen additional copper plates...by E. Hoppus. London: A. Ward a.o., 1738 56. SALMON, WILLIAM. The country builder’s estimator, or the architect’s companion, for estimating of new buildings, or repairing of old...the Originally published 1734, this work “for nearly forty years remained a stan- eighth edition, carefully revised and corrected...by John Green, Architect, in dard builder’s manual and in that time saw more editions than any of the Salisbury. London: Printed for S. Crowder, 1770 several other books of its kind.” - Harris. This is one of the most important source books for studying the architecture of colonial America. Helen Park Originally published in Colchester about 1733, this was Salmon’s first book found 27 references in pre-Revolutionary 18th century records. It was de- and the first book to be wholly devoted to builder’s prices. It was very popu- signed to provide the builder with everything he needed to build and decorate lar; Eileen Harris lists twelve printings between 1733 and 1784 plus a 1960 a house according to a plan provided in some other source. It was especially reprint by C. E. Kenny called The measurer’s mate. But nowadays all editions influential in colonial Virginia; on this see T. T. Waterman’s Mansions of Vir- are rare. It was perhaps the most popular l8th century price book, covering ginia (in passim). Harris, BABW, 794. Park List 75. Schimmelman 125. the work of bricklayers, blacksmiths, carpenters, plasterers, painters, thatch- Wiebenson III-C-19. Archer 438.2. BAL, Early printed books, 2888-2890. ers and trimmers, as well as just about every major part of a house or barn. 4to, orig. full sheep, hinges cracked but a very good copy. (viii)+132+(28+iv) pp with 52 BAL, Early printed books, 2884 edition of ca. 1733 with a very interesting engr. plates (most fdg) numb. 1-37; A-P. This copy does not repeat pp. 77-80 as in the note. Harris, BABW, 784. Park List 73. Kress 7050 (edition of 1774). Wallis, Harris collation. Scattered old and very light water stains, but a very good copy. British Mathematics, 727SAL27/52.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS ABSOLUTELY COMPLETE COPY OF “AN ODDITY AMONG ARCHITECTURAL BOOKS” A VERY RARE BOOK 60. SKAIFE, THOMAS. A key to civil architecture; or, the universal 59. SCAMOZZI, VINCENT. The Mirror of Architecture: or the ground- British builder. Second edition, corrected. London: R. Baldwin, 1776 rules of the art of building, exactly laid down by Vincent Scamozzi...reviewed and inlarged by Joachim Schuym of Amsterdam, translated out of Dutch by W. Originally published 1774. A peculiar book with a long and rambling text, F...Hereunto is added the description and use of an ordinary joynt- rule by John Harris calls this “an oddity among architectural books.” To the historian, she Browne. Third edition with addition of stair-cases and chimney-pieces. London: says, “the main interest of the Key is the information it provides about labor Printed for W. Fisher, 1676 relations in the building industry at the time of the great Building Act of 1774, when speculative development was booming and competition between Absolutely complete copy of a very rare book. Originally published in Venice journeymen, master builders, architects, surveyors, and measurers was in- in 1615, “Scamozzi’s 800-page ‘summa’ of architecture was, of course, en- tense.” Harris, BABW, 830. This is a much more useful work than the usual tirely unsuited for the popular market, but his international reputation made tabular sort of surveyor’s manual, as it discusses in detail the methods and an abstract a widely saleable proposition. By a skilful reduction of the mate- procedures of measuring each and every kind of material and job. Frank rial to a few pages, Schuym produced a handbook of the orders that could vie Jenkins in his excellent Architect and Patron (Lon., 1961) makes no less than with Vignola’s...The publisher Fisher translated Schuym’s Dutch text four extensive quotes from Skaife. BAL, Early printed books, 3047 (as in the himself...Not satisfied, however, with a manual of the orders, Fisher added BAL copy our copy also as p. 387 misnumbered 389). to it a treatise by the mathematical instrument maker John Brown...Fisher 8vo, recent polished calf spine, raised bands, linen sides, well bound. xii+387 pp with 2 further enriched his Mirror of Architecture by a ‘contracted’ version of Wotton’s fdg. engr. plates. Pale old embossed library stamp just visible on t.p. Elements of Architecture, retitled The Ground Rules of Architecture...To this he added details of the ‘Roman’ and Corinthian capitals copied from Dancker Danckerts folio edition of Scamozzi, three chimney-piece designs from J. 61. SWAN, ABRAHAM. The British architect or the builder’s treasury Barbet’s Book of Architecture...and four designs for stairs from works on per- of stair-cases. London: Printed for the author, [1765?] spective by Marolois and Hondius...It was precisely its miscellaneous composition that made the Mirror so popular that it appeared worth while First published 1745; this went through five British editions and stayed in reprinting four times during the eighteenth century, the last as late as 1752.” print for over twenty years. It was also one of the most popular pattern - Harris, BABW, p. 410 and no. 804. The first edition was published in books used in colonial America (it was reprinted in Philadelphia in 1775 and London, 1669. Thomas Jefferson owned a copy of the seventh edition of as such was the first architectural book printed in America). It was also re- 1734 (see O’Neal 111b). Park 49. printed in Boston 1n 1794. Architectural details taken straight from its plates can be found from Maine to Georgia. Harris, BABW, 863. Park List 79. 4to, recent full calf antique by the Green Dragon Bindery. Part I (Scamozzi): Engr t.p., printed t.p., (vi)+(ii)+ pp. 1-23 with pls. 1-40 + 3 unnumb between pls 32 & 33; followed Schimmelman 134. Wiebenson III-C-22. Fowler 341. Colvin, p. 799. Like by 3 pls of chimney pieces; followed by 4 plates of stairs. Part II (Brown): (ii)+29 pp with so many of these pattern books this has in recent years become quite scarce. fdg. engr plate of the Rule. Part III (Wotton): 22 pp. Margins a bit thumb soiled; Engr. t.p. Folio, recent full reverse calf. viii+16 pp. with 60 engr. plates. Good clean copy. mounted. But a very good absolutely complete copy of a very rare book.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS 62. SWAN, ABRAHAM. A collection of designs in architecture, nos 3253-3283 lists 30 of them, almost all of which are bound into books containing new plans and elevations of houses for general use. London: Printed Taylor published. They are almost always undated and the key to assigning and sold by the author, 1757 them a date is to work out the most recently published [and dated] book. The BAL entries are dated in this way. The copy on offer here is BAL 3259 First edition, an excellent copy. Though Swan’s external elevations were more with the note: “This catalogue announces John Phillips’ General History of or less Palladian in character, his interior designs reflected the contemporary Inland Navigation (1792) as ‘in the press and speedily will be published.’” taste for rococo decoration. His books were very popular in America; the They are fun to read through for anyone familiar with this literature Philadelphia edition of his British Architect was the first architectural book to as included among the standard titles are some stunning rarities (i.e. rare be printed in this country. The present work was also reprinted in America in today). 1775 but 4 pages and 10 plates were all that were ever produced and are 8vo, disbound, untrimmed, with three stab holes along the spine. 16 pp. Excellent copy. known by only two copies (NYPL and Avery Library). Thus this complete British edition is all the more important for American collections. Swan was a fascinating character. The introductions to this and to his 64. TAYLOR, WILLIAM. The measurer’s assistant; or, mensuration British Carpenter were self-aggrandizing and dripping with false modesty. He made easy, by a new set of tables. Birmingham: Printed by J. Belcher, sold by the had, he claimed, “little view to his own Profit; a great...love for the Science author W. Taylor, Bookseller, Spiceal Street; and the other booksellers in of Architecture”, an “earnest desire of promoting the Knowledge and Prac- Birmingham, also by T. Vernor, Birchin-Lane, London, 1792 tice of it, especially in [his] own country”, a wish to “wipe-off ” reproaches by foreigners of “the Declension of the Arts and Sciences among us”, and, First edition, a rare work. The author calls himself on the title land surveyor. above all, “to raise the glory of his own country” - these were his motives. The work was applicable to the work of artificiers, bricklayers, masons, car- Early printed books See the fascinating note in Harris. (BAL, , 3222). Harris, penters and joiners, slaters and tilers, plasterers, painters, glaziers, pavoirs, BABW , 870. Park List 80. Berlin Catalogue 2285. All editions of this book plumbers, vaulted and arched roofs, etc. OCLC does not locate any copies in are now very scarce. American libraries. ESTC does locate a copy at the Spencer Research Li- 2 volumes. Folio, orig. calf, beautifully and professionally rebacked, gilt spines, dark red brary at the U of Kansas; they locate six copies in the UK (Birmingham PL, lettering pieces. vi+8 pp. with 61 plates; iv+12 pp. with 63 plates. A really nice 2 vol set. BL, Cambridge, NLS, Oxford and St. Andrews). My own records indicate that I owned one other copy of this book in the 1980s; I sold it to Arnaud de Vitry but I can find no record of it in his auction catalogue (Sotheby’s Lon- 63. TAYL0R’S ARCHITECTURAL LIBRARY (Publisher). A don 10-11 April 2002). catalogue of modern books on architecture, theoretical, practical, and 8vo, orig. sheep, xxiii+1+455+1 pp. Binding is original; it was restored by the Green ornamental: viz, Books of Plans and Elevations for Houses, Temples, Bridges Dragon Bindery. &c. Of Ornaments for Internal Decorations, Foliage for Carvers, &c. On Perspective. Books of use to Carpenters, Bricklayers, and Workmen in general, &c &c. Which, with the best Ancient Authors, are constantly for sale at I. and 65. WARE, I(SAAC). Designs of Inigo Jones and others. London: J. J. Taylors’s Architectural Library, No. 56, High Holborn, London. Where may Millan, [1731] be had the works of the most celebrated French Architects and Engineers. [London, 1792?] First edition. The importance of this particular collection of Inigo Jones designs lies in its small size and portability - it was a suitable pocket compan- These Taylor catalogues are, or used to be, ubiquitous, primarily because ion for the travelling gentleman and builder, both in Europe and America. they were stitched into the back of almost all of Taylor’s publications. In Peter Harrison, the architect of Newport, had a copy in his library. It was many cases they were removed and sold separately. BAL, Early Printed Books, also intended to disseminate Lord Burlington’s architectural taste to a wider

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS public. Ware’s original finished drawings for the book (along with three oth- those master builders who did not submit themselves to his architectural ers that were not engraved) are in the Soane Museum. Harris/Savage, BABW, direction.” - Colvin, p. 910. Eileen Harris points out that this was the only 910. Park List 85. Fowler 437. Berlin Catalogue 2274. one of Wood’s books successful enough to require reprinting; it went through three editions. Harris also notes a Part III (her no. 925) published separately 8vo, old calf, neatly rebacked. Engr. title, 3 engr. leaves of contents and 48 plates (numbered 1-53; 6 double-page). Very light foxing on engr. t.p. but a good copy. in 1743; this is very rare, she locates only one copy (Bath Reference Library) and states that it was not incorporated into the 1749 or later editions. The BAL note states that this third part, “very scarce”, was possibly suppressed A RARITY BY THE ARCHITECT JOHN WOOD by the author. Harris, BABW, 924. Fowler 442 (third edition of 1765). Cicognara 1828. BAL, Early printed books, 3703 (edition of 1749). 66. WOOD, JOHN. A description of the Exchange in Bristol: wherein 2 parts in 1 vol. 8vo, old marbled sides, neatly rebacked. (x)+92 pp; (iv)+104 pp with 13 the ceremony of laying the first stone of that structure; together with that of plates on 7 (6 double each with 2 numbers plus 1 single); part II with 2 pls (on 1), i.e. 1 fdg opening the building for public use, is regularly recited. Bath: Printed in the plate. Final leaf a bit dusty; a good copy. year 1745 and sold by J. Leake a.o., 1745

First and only edition, rare; the edition was 300 copies. The explanation for “THE MOST PECULIAR BOOK ON ARCHITECTURE this book is given by Harris, but in a footnote rather than in the text itself: WRITTEN IN ENGLAND DURING THE 18TH “Although concerned with a single building of his own design, this too is CENTURY” consistent with his attitude to precise historical facts. His failure to find an account of the opening ceremonies of the London exchange prompted him 68. WOOD, JOHN. The origin of building: or, the plagiarism of the to publish ‘all the circumstances’ surrounding the building and opening of heathens detected. In five books. Bath: S. & F. Farley a.o., 1741 the Bristol Exchange, ‘it being certain that Precedents in or relating to Archi- tecture carry their uses along with them as well as Precedents in the Law.” (p. Fine copy of the first and only edition of the author’s first book. The late 488, note 68). In addition to describing the ceremonies, the book illustrates Professor Wittkower called this “the most peculiar book on architecture written this fine building in two plans, two elevations and two sections and plates of in England during the 18th century.” And Sir John Summerson gave it an the front gate and front doors. Harris, BABW, 922. OCLC locates 7 copies extended note: “...as his Origin of building shows he had read a great deal...he in American libraries. had a curiously original mind, fundamentally unlearned but steeped in ama- 8vo, old mottled calf, neatly rebacked. (iv)+36+(1) pp. with 8 engr plates (of which 6 teur erudition. In his book he showed, to his own satisfaction, and with the double-p). Scattered light foxing. help of Villalpando, that classic architecture had been revealed to the Jews and incorporated in the Temple of Jerusalem. The book is personal and has no particular connection with Palladianism except that it illustrates in a re- 67. WOOD, JOHN. An essay towards a description of Bath. Bath: markable way the desire for an absolute sanction, biblical as well as Thomas Boddely, 1742 - [Part II, Bath: W. Frederick, 1743] philosophical, for the Vitruvian source of architectural virtue.” - Architecture in Britian, 223, 209. A long and fascinating analysis is given by Harris, pp. First edition. In this work “he allowed his imagination full scope, identifying 480-487; BABW 929. She also states that the original MS is in the Soane the city of Bladud as the ancient seat of Apollo and establishing a Druidic Museum. Wiebenson II-23. Fowler 441. Millard, English, 91. NUC locates University at Stanton Drew. This historical romanticism serves as an intro- 6 copies. BAL, Early printed books, 3704. duction to Wood’s own account of the Georgian improvements in which he Folio, orig. calf, neatly rebacked, a fine clean copy. (6)+235+errata leaf with 25 engr. plates had played so prominent a part. He also took the opportunity to attack those (numbered 1-36; 11 double-p. plates bearing 2 numbers each). who had opposed his schemes, and to denounce the ‘piratical’ architecture of

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS INCLUDES ‘THE ELEMENTS “THE FATHER OF ENGLISH OF ARCHITECTURE’ ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY”

69. WOTTON, SIR HENRY. Reliquiae Wottoniane: or a collection lives, 70. WREN, CHRISTOPHER, Jr. Parentalia: or memoirs of the family letters, poems...and other incomparable pieces of language and art. Third edition, of Wrens ... chiefly of Sir Christopher Wren, late Surveyor-General of the Royal with large additions. London: Printed by T. Roycroft for R. Marriott a.o., Buildings, president of the Royal Society, etc....compiled by his son Christopher; 1672 now published by his grandson, Stephen Wren, Esq. London; T. Osborne & R. Dodsley, 1750 This includes Wotton’s famous The elements of architecture first published in 1624, said to be ‘the first significant British contribution to architectural Fine copy. Only edition, complete with the mezzotint portrait of Wren as theory’ (pp. 1-71). Good notes on this important essay are given in Harris, frontispiece engraved by I. Faber (this is often missing). This is the most BABW, pp. 499-502 and in the Millard British catalogue no. 95. Harris states important source of original information on Wren, and contains Wren’s only that it was included in the present work on the basis mainly of literary merit, known published writings on architecture, probably written in the early 1680s. “but its dissemination was greatest however in the very quarter for which it “As a biography of an English architect, Parentalia is preceded only by the was not intended, in the building trades, among ordinary artizans.” She then ‘Memoirs Relating to the Life and Writings of Inigo Jones Esq.’ prefixed to lists several builders’ books which reprinted the essay in whole or in part. the second edition Stone Heng Restored (1725). Parentalia must however be Park List 119; Helen Park found 3 pre-Revolutionary American locations: granted the distinction of being the father of English architectural history Loganian Library, Harvard and the Charleston Library Society. The pagina- and was described as such in the late eighteenth century by James Essex.” - tion is irregular due to typesetter’s errors but the work appears to be complete; Eileen Harris, p. 506. BABW 949. Colvin, p. 921. Wiebenson II-18. Lewine, certainly ‘The Elements’ is all there. With the ownership inscription of ‘Richd p. 576. Millard British Books, no.97. This copy contains two engraved book- Lake, 1707.’ plates: Scrope Berdmore, S.T.P., Coll. Mert. Custon, 1790; and Henry C. 8vo, old calf (appears to be the original binding), with replacement spine label. Compton, Esq., Manor House, Lyndhurst. (lxxxiv)+581+(ii) pp. with 4 engr portraits. Table of contents bound in as the final leaf. Folio, cont. hinges very slightly cracked, spine nicely gilt; red edges, dark red lettering piece. Good copy. Title page in red and black. (iv)+xii+(4)+368+(iv) pp (pp. 161-180 omitted, as is correct; see Harris 949) with 12 engr. plates (incl. mezzotint portrait and engr. ded. leaf); also 3 engr. text illus and engr head and tail pieces.

CHARLES WOOD RARE BOOKS